Tag: clamshell foldable

  • The True Cost of Folding Smartphones Over €800

    Key Takeaway

    – Motorola Razr 70 costs ~$800, with significant weaknesses in performance and software support.
    – Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 offers better performance and longer updates for a slightly higher price.
    – Good display quality and style factor, but short-term support is a key drawback.
    – Already dropping in price; predecessor available for ~$560.
    – Best for users seeking a compact foldable for everyday use, not for performance or longevity.


    Motorola Razr 70 Price and Features

    The Motorola Razr 70 is available for around US$ 800 (e.g. at amazon.com). A hefty price for a smartphone, you can expect a lot for that, right? Well, it is a clamshell foldable, i.e. a folding smartphone that folds up at the short end. This design requires complex engineering, including a secondary display on the outside for viewing notifications when the device is closed.

    Compromises in Performance and Display

    Of course, this requires quite complex technology and an additional display on the outside to be able to see notifications even when closed. You have to make compromises somewhere and so you get a foldable with good display quality, but significant weaknesses in performance and software support. The display is bright and offers accurate colors, which is a highlight for many users.

    Price Drops and Market Competition

    The price for the Razr 70 has already fallen significantly in some markets and the predecessor is available for around US$ 560. If you wait a little longer, you will soon be able to get the foldable for even less. A Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 is only slightly more expensive, but offers longer updates and better performance. Samsung’s device also has a more restrained design, while the Motorola stands out stylistically.

    Target Audience and Weaknesses

    Of course, the style factor is not quite as high as with the Motorola Razr 70: Samsung’s smartphone has a rather restrained design. A user who is primarily looking for a compact foldable for everyday use will find the Razr 70 a good option. Those who require performance and long-term support should perhaps opt for a different model. This is where the Razr 70 clearly has its weaknesses.

    Overall Assessment and Final Thoughts

    The Razr 70 is a very attractive clamshell foldable that will satisfy lovers of bright and true-color displays. However, performance weaknesses and short support remain critical points for the overall impression. The device excels in portability and style, but falters in processing power and update commitment. You can find a more detailed analysis of the clamshell phone in our detailed review of the Motorola Razr 70.

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    • Honor Magic V Flip2: New Clamshell Foldable with Huge Battery

      Honor Magic V Flip2: New Clamshell Foldable with Huge Battery

      Key Takeaways

      1. Impressive Battery Performance: The Magic V Flip2 features a 5,500 mAh battery with 80 W wired, 50 W wireless, and 7.5 W wireless reverse charging.

      2. Advanced Camera Setup: It includes a 200 MP main camera, a 50 MP ultra-wide camera, and a 50 MP inner camera, all in a slim design.

      3. Display Quality: The device has two 120 Hz LTPO OLED screens with peak brightness of up to 3,600 nits (4-inch) and 5,000 nits (6.82-inch).

      4. Processor Limitations: It is powered by the older Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 platform, unlike competitors that use the newer Snapdragon 8 Elite.

      5. Availability: The Magic V Flip2 will be available in China starting August 28, with no details on international release yet.


      Honor has officially unveiled the Magic V Flip2, the newest entry in the growing line of clamshell foldable smartphones that have hit the market recently. As speculated before its launch, the Magic V Flip2 outshines competitors such as the Mix Flip 2, Galaxy Z Flip7, and the Razr 60 Ultra (currently priced at $1,099 on Amazon) in certain aspects, although it does lag behind in other areas.

      Impressive Battery Performance

      One standout feature of the Magic V Flip2 is that it becomes the first clamshell foldable to boast a 5,500 mAh battery. With support for 80 W wired charging, 50 W wireless charging, and 7.5 W wireless reverse charging, this substantial battery easily exceeds the capabilities of the recent foldables from Motorola, Samsung, and Xiaomi.

      Advanced Camera Setup

      In terms of camera technology, Honor has impressively managed to integrate a 200 MP main camera (1/1.4-inch), a 50 MP ultra-wide camera (with a 120° field of view), and another 50 MP inner camera (f/2.0) into a slim casing that measures just 6.9 mm on each side. Weighing 204 g and featuring IP59 certification, the Magic V Flip2 has a thickness of 15.5 mm when folded, while measuring 75.6 mm wide and 167.1 mm tall when fully opened. This design allows for the inclusion of two significant 120 Hz LTPO OLED screens, measuring 4 inches and 6.82 inches, and achieving peak brightness levels of up to 3,600 and 5,000 nits, respectively.

      Processor and Availability

      However, the Magic V Flip2 is powered by Qualcomm’s older Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 platform instead of the more advanced Snapdragon 8 Elite that is found in the Mix Flip 2 and Razr 60 Ultra. Despite this, Honor plans to offer the Magic V Flip2 with a maximum of 16 GB of RAM and up to 1 TB of storage. It’s worth noting that the device won’t be available for purchase in China until August 28, and there is currently no information regarding its release in other countries.

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    • Oppo’s N5 Flip: A New Clamshell Rival to Galaxy Z Flip and Razr

      Oppo’s N5 Flip: A New Clamshell Rival to Galaxy Z Flip and Razr

      Key Takeaways

      1. The Oppo Find N5 is the first ultra-slim foldable phone with a Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, launched in late February.
      2. Oppo is exploring the clamshell foldable market again after an 18-month gap, as indicated by a recent patent.
      3. Approval of a patent does not guarantee product launch, but it shows Oppo’s design direction.
      4. The design of the new clamshell foldable includes a larger outer display while maintaining a vertical layout.
      5. Oppo has added three rear cameras in a vertically-aligned housing to compete with brands like Samsung and Xiaomi.


      The Oppo Find N5 has been available for some time now. To summarize, Oppo launched its ultra-slim foldable back in late February, making it the first device of its type to feature a Snapdragon 8 Elite processor. Usually, the company would have also introduced a clamshell foldable by this point, similar to their previous releases, the Find N2 Flip and Find N3 Flip.

      Clamshell Foldable Market

      A recent patent from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) suggests that Oppo is still looking into the clamshell foldable market, even after a gap of 18 months. It’s important to understand that just because a patent is approved, it doesn’t guarantee that a company will actually launch such a product. However, it does shed light on the direction of Oppo’s design team, much like the earlier developments from Samsung Display’s Flex Gaming prototype.

      Design Changes and Features

      In this regard, Oppo has increased the size of its outer display while keeping the vertical layout. In response to competitors like Samsung and Xiaomi, who have adopted designs inspired by the Motorola Razr Ultra 2025 (currently priced at $1,299 on Amazon) and its earlier models, Oppo has also integrated three rear cameras in a standard vertically-aligned housing. Other than that, not much is unexpected in terms of design; for more details, check out the images below.

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